ST. JOSEPH’S Hospice will open up its beautiful hospice gardens to the local community for a special 55th Anniversary Garden Party on Saturday 8th July.

The hospice’s famous Teddy Bears Picnic and Teddy Parade will kick off the afternoon from 1pm so don’t forget your picnic or your teddies!

The event is free to attend and there will also be a Teddy Treasure Hunt and entertainment throughout the afternoon, including music, performances, stalls and games.

Refreshments will also be available with a BBQ and afternoon tea being served in the garden as well as a prosecco bar for the grown ups and ice cream, candyfloss and popcorn for the kids (and big kids!).

Towards the end of the afternoon, there will be a Reflections Service at the hospice’s Pool of Remembrance and an opportunity to visit the Stations of the Cross.

Julie McAdam, Senior Community Fundraiser at St Joseph’s Hospice, said: “We have expanded our usual Teddy Bears Picnic this year in to a very special Garden Party to celebrate our 55th Anniversary so we want to invite as many people as possible along on 8th July to enjoy a fun-filled family afternoon. It’s such a beautiful place and our community is so very important to us.

“At the hospice, we provide specialist end of life care for over 200 patients from our local community every year and, as a registered charity, we need to raise £6,850 every day to keep these services running. This means that events like our Garden Party are vital and your support is incredibly valuable to us.

“Why not bring a picnic, along with your family and friends, and enjoy the 12 acres of beautiful woodland and gardens which surround the hospice in Thornton? The event is entirely free and we hope you have a fantastic afternoon.”

For more information, visit www.jospice.org.uk or call the fundraising team on 0151 932 6025 or email events@jospice.org.uk.